Brandwave

HackerRank vs SHL:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, HackerRank had more branded searches than SHL among pre-employment assessment platforms worldwide. HackerRank had about 823,000 branded searches, while SHL had 550,000. HackerRank made up 57.4% of all pre-employment assessment platform searches we track, and SHL accounted for 38.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about pre-employment assessment platforms, HackerRank appeared in four of the five answers and SHL in two. HackerRank and SHL were each mentioned first in two of the four answers.

Among pre-employment assessment platforms worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

HackerRank, about 50% more searches than SHL

HackerRank 823K searchesSHL 550K searches

Who does AI mention more?

HackerRank, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, SHL in 2

HackerRank in 4 of 5SHL in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Each is named first in 2 of 4 answers.

HackerRank first in 2SHL first in 2

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Top pre-employment assessment platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, HackerRank was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. SHL was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. HackerRank and SHL were each listed first in two of the four answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Criteria1st
  2. TestGorilla2nd
  3. HackerRank3rd
  4. SHL4th
  5. TestDome5th
  6. Vervoe6th
  7. Mercer Mettl7th
  8. Harver–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • TestGorilla5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • HackerRank4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Criteria4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • SHL2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Mercer Mettl2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • TestDome1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Vervoe1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Harver0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about pre-employment assessment platforms

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.

Is HackerRank or SHL more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for HackerRank and SHL by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight pre-employment assessment platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

HackerRank and SHL among pre-employment assessment platforms worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for HackerRank, SHL. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthHackerRankSHLTestGorillaMercer MettlHarverTestDomeVervoeCriteria
Oct 202547.8%47.8%2.7%0.57%0.6%0.39%0.19%<0.01%
Nov 202552.2%42.6%2.9%0.94%0.65%0.52%0.19%<0.01%
Dec 202552.5%42.9%2.4%0.94%0.57%0.43%0.15%<0.01%
Jan 202643.1%52.7%2.4%0.63%0.66%0.36%0.16%<0.01%
Feb 202652.2%42.6%3%0.77%0.7%0.53%0.22%<0.01%
Mar 202638.6%57.4%2.2%0.69%0.59%0.39%0.2%<0.01%
Apr 202652.1%42.6%2.9%0.94%0.7%0.43%0.34%<0.01%
May 202669.6%20.9%4.9%1.9%1.4%0.88%0.42%<0.01%
Jun 202676.3%15.3%4.4%1.7%1.4%0.68%0.32%<0.01%
Jul 202683.2%11.1%3.1%1%0.89%0.49%0.21%<0.01%
Aug 202681.5%13.4%2.6%0.98%0.97%0.47%0.19%<0.01%
Sep 202657.4%38.3%2.2%0.84%0.69%0.41%0.14%<0.01%

How has the HackerRank and SHL comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands 4 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: SHL took it in January 2026, HackerRank took it in February 2026, SHL took it in March 2026, HackerRank took it in April 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, HackerRank’s share of searches among pre-employment assessment platforms worldwide moved from 47.8% to 57.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 823K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, SHL’s share of searches among pre-employment assessment platforms worldwide moved from 47.8% to 38.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 823K to 550K.

How did search popularity change for pre-employment assessment platforms worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, SHL gained share of searches among pre-employment assessment platforms worldwide, from 13.4% to 38.3%.

  2. In September 2026, HackerRank lost share of searches among pre-employment assessment platforms worldwide, from 81.5% to 57.4%.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using HackerRank’s and SHL’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

HackerRank

1 branded search term

  • hackerrank

SHL

1 branded search term

  • shl

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among pre-employment assessment platforms

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